New Delhi, Aug 31 : The BJP and the Congress on Friday got into a fresh spat after the saffron party claimed that Rahul Gandhi, who left on a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal this morning, wanted a ceremonial send off and asked the Chinese Ambassador to see him off.
Addressing a press conference here, BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra said "Rahul Gandhi wanted the Chinese Ambassador to see him off. The Ambassador had sought permission for it in writing to the Ministry of External Affairs so that the ceremonial lounge at the Indira Gandhi International Airport could be used for giving him a ceremonial see off in the presence of the Ambassador and other diplomats of that country."
The Congress hit back saying the BJP was insulting the abode of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati by such "cheap" political tactics.
Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that an "unnerved" Prime Minister and a rattled BJP have shown their parochial, hateful mindset by mocking at the religious journey.
"Calling this auspicious yatra honeymoon tourism by the BJP is the vilest attack on Hindu faith and belief," Surjewala maintained.
Patra claimed that the MEA did not respond to it.
Patra said "It is commonsense that since you are Rahul Gandhi and not Chinese Gandhi, why should the Chinese Ambassador see you off when you are going to Nepal. There is no such protocol.
"Why Rahul Gandhi wants so? Why was such a demand made from the Chinese envoy? It is serious and something which Congress should answer," he said.
"But the question is why the Chinese Ambassador wanted to see off a non-Chinese resident. They never do it with Indian MPs or Indian citizens. This is the question. What is the Chinese connection?," he said.
The BJP leader said he was raising questions about Gandhi's "China connection" because there was a history behind it.
"Is it not true that the Gandhi family was invited to China for the inauguration of the Beijing Olympics. Then Congress President Soina Gandhi was the special guest of the Chinese government although she was not holding any government post. Even the Chinese Ambassador went to the airport to see off the entire family. Ye rishta kya kahlata hai...(What does this relationship say)," he asked.
He said the relation of Rahul Gandhi and China is well known by now and sought to know from him whom he will be meeting during his visit.
"When Chinese premier (Xi Jinping) comes to India and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the banks of river Sabarmati, you question it. You say that the Prime Minister and the Chinese President sat side-by-side on a swing and here you want to be given a ceremonial see off by the Chinese ambassador."
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Several users on ‘X’ on Thursday and Friday shared claims that LPG cylinders booked at 11:45 AM were being delivered within just two hours, prompting humorous and curious reactions online.
Booked an Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Shashi Kumar (@iShashiShekhar) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
Meanwhile netizens quickly responded to the sudden similar bookings by many users.
One ‘X’ user tweeted, “Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11:45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1:30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges. I asked the delivery guy if there was any shortage. His reply was negative. This copy is circulating 👇.”
Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Govind Pratap Singh | GPS (@govindprataps12) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
ये वाली कॉपी घूम रही है 👇 pic.twitter.com/DG7KkxuQxw
Another user questioned the timing, asking, “How can all book at the same time?” while a separate post wondered, “Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM?”
Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM ? #Lol
— Paritosh Vyas 🇮🇳 (@paritosh2608) March 13, 2026
Many netizens joked about the posts. One wrote, “Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinders at 11:45 AM, and surprisingly it’s getting delivered in two hours. IT cell has some special gas agency. Is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?”
Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinder at 11.45 am and surprisingly it getting delivered in 2 hours.
— Prashant Kanojia (@KanojiaPJ) March 13, 2026
IT cell has some special gas agency.
is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?
pic.twitter.com/2T3NI3qjtk
One urged, “Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too,” sharing a photo of people standing in ques.
Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too https://t.co/BUekztabvK pic.twitter.com/lRknSuQreI
— URScrewed 🇬🇧 (@URScrewed_) March 13, 2026
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 2 30 pm without any extra cash or charges.
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. He replied Nope.
Then I woke up.
“Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM. I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM,” wrote another.
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM.
— Essai Ennai (@SiniiMayo) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM.
One user asked, “What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM?” while another tweeted, “I am going to book a gas cylinder at 11:45 AM tomorrow, hope Modi Ji will deliver it by 1:30.”
What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM? pic.twitter.com/jZqEzNdCGo
— SMMH-SAB MOH MAYA HAI (@EliteCricket10) March 13, 2026
“I want to ask one thing… If I book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11:45 AM and the gas agency is unable to deliver it by 1:30 PM, will it be free like Domino’s pizza, or will I get it at some discounted price? BJP IT Cell experts, please confirm so that I can book my LPG cylinder tomorrow exactly at 11:45 AM,” said another humorously.
I want to ask one thing if...
— शाकाल (@real_shakaal) March 13, 2026
"I'll Book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11.45 AM and if Gas Agency will unable to deliver the LPG Cylinder at my doorstep by 1.30 PM tomorrow".
Will it be free like Dominos Pizza or i'll get it on some discounted price?
BJP IT Cell experts please… pic.twitter.com/UEBoBwVNNw
